Fire-escape



(No Model.)

P. T. PORSYTH.

FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 285,606. Patented Sept. 25, 1883.

' WITNESSES: 9Q mvsmom' (MW 1 0 x; r 6f ,l ww m BY A2,

' ATTORNEYS.

UN TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL THOMAS FOBSYTH, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,606, dated September 25, 1883.

Application filed March 20, 1883. (No model.)

4 end of arope passing over a pulley, which rope passes througha sleeve of pliable material provided with a flap, which flap is passed around the strands of the ropewhen a person descends by means of the fire-escape, which sleeve and flap are pressed more or less firmly against the strands of the rope, to increase or decrease the friction accordingly as the descent is to be with less or greater rapidity.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the figures.

Figure l is a perspective view of my 1111' proved fireescape, showing the manner in which it is used. Fig. 2is a-perspective view of the same, showing the manner in which it 'is hung when not in use.

A pulley, A, is suspended from a hook, B, hanger, or other suitable device secured in the wall, window-frame, &c., over which pulley arope, 0, passes, which has one end secured to an elongated ring or link, D.

Between the link D and the pulley A the rope 0 passes through a ring or loop, E, at. one end of a belt, F, provided at the opposite endwith asnap-hook,G,'whichis to be snapped into the link D. The belt F can be made of any desired width, either of leather, canvas, webbing, or any other suitable material. A ring, H, is held on the link D, and through the said ring the rope 0 passes before passing over the pulley A.

Between the ring H and the pulley A the" rope passes through a sleeve, J, of leather, fabric, 820., which sleeve is provided with a longitudinal flap, K. The long end of the rope is coiled and suspended from a hook, L, or is contained in-a suitable box. In all cases the hook B is to be secured on the wall, &c., at or very near a window.

If desired, an additional brake can be pro vided in case two persons descend together. The additional brake is constructed like the one shown, and is arranged above it.

The fire-escape is used in the following manner: The belt is passed around the body, preferably under the arms, and the snap-hook G is passed through the link D. The rope O is thrown on the fioor or out of the window, and then that part of the rope below the link is passed upward alongside of the sleeve J,

and the'flap K is passed around the three' strands a b c of the rope O, as shown in Fig. 1, and is held around the same by the left hand. The body is then swung out of the window, and if the pressure on the sleeves is decreased the rope can slip through the sleeve J and the body will descend. The friction can be increased or decreased at any time by grasping the sleeve J and the flap K more or less firmly, and the speed of the descent can thus be regulated at will. If desired, both hands can be used to hold the sleeve J and its flap. After the person has reached the ground the device can easily be raised by pulling on the long end of the rope, so that another person can be lowered. The sleeve J is connected with link G by. means of a short rope or cord, M, so that the sleeve can at all times be reached easily and will be near the belt.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a fire-escape, the combination, with the pulley A, the rope O, and the belt F, or analogous device, of the sleeve J and the flap K, substantially as herein shown and described, and'for the purpose set forth.

2. In a fire-escape, the combination, with the pulley A, the rope G, and the belt F, of the sleeve J the flap K, and the cord M, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a fire-escape, the combination, with the pulley A, the rope G, and the belt F, of the sleeve J, the flap K, the link D, the rings E and H, and the snap-hook G, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

PAUL THOMAS FORSYTH.

Witnesses M. B. TREZEVANT, HUNSDQN GARY. 

